The thought was good while it lasted, now it's only me and regret.
"Could you please let go of me?"
"No, can do!" Said silver happily fastening his grip on my arm that was almost numb.
"No! You're mine now!" claimed the little pink haired girl, with her crimson eyes glowing ominously.
'Deep breaths! Think only about rainbows and butterflies! Peace, inner peace!' I inquired to myself.
"Why can't you? I know you are pretty capable, Silver!" I said, trying to coax Silver out of it, which unexpectedly worked as he reluctantly left my arm.
"No, Crimson, you can't own a person!" I tried to explain as simply as I could.
She looked at the others, then looked at me again and circled his arms around my throat even harder. I tried to loosen them, but she was really strong. I looked at Gold, prying for help.
"Sigh, if you don't want her to run away, stop bothering her!"
Hearing Gold's words, she immediately let go of me, landing perfectly on her short legs. Looking at me with a polite smile as she took the hem of her dress and grave small princess like bow.
"Sorry for bothering you!"
Her words made me awkward. As if I had bullied a small child.
"Oh, okey! It's fine, just don't repeat it..." No matter the guilt, I really feared small children so I couldn't restrain from saying that last bit.
My words made everyone present look at me as if I was a human trash. 'Sorry for not being sorry for being a human trash!' I said in my head as I normally walked towards the door.
Right in front of the front door, I turned back. Ready to act even more trashy, I put a stern expression on my face.
" First of all, I want you to know that I have no obligations towards you and am doing this volunteering. Of course, other than Lucas..."
Seeing everyone's confused faces and narrowed eyes, I waited a bit for them to think about my intention, then I continued.
"But what does this mean? " I said, trying to sound as carefree as possible.
After all, it isn't me who needs their mercy and they are no pitiable children. They are my maternal grandparent's powerful trailing children, who could blow me away in seconds...
'They have to show me how well behaved they can be... So I can let them be here without having to be worried sick.'
"It means if you want to live here, show me your sincerity!"
I don't know about anyone else, but Lucas and Gold looked at me, really disgusted. What have I done wrong?
Emerald came forward.
"How much money do you need? " She asked in an icy voice and an arrogant tone.
Oh, now I see how it may have sounded. Well, it is what happens when the only one you have a normal talk with is Eun-Woo who knows my thoughts better than myself and naturally can translate my words...
"I don't need money... I mean, I need money, but I won't ask you for that!" Trying to fix the misunderstanding, I blurted out whatever came to mind. Which doesn't seem to have fixed any...
This time, Apple came forward, frowning and crossing arms.
"So, what kind of sincerity do you need? You have already promised! Are you going back on your promise?"
His words made everyone's stares turn cold and judging, and it made me feel cornered by a group of bullies. Looking at those demanding stares, I felt like I stood once more in the middle of my high school day's house. Being judged.
"You are the worst!" Gold said in the same tone and with the same glare Divine usually did.
Hearing that felt shitty. I had promised I won't live for others anymore, giving up things for others, being considerate, being a pushover and being others punching bag.
Running away from that is the whole reason I, despite having an entire future planned for myself, accepted grandfather's offer. To be away from those expectations. Now here...
'Why is it that every time I want to help this happens?' I wondered, looking at the large group in front of me bewildered and frighted. A lot, I have a lot to say, but my tongue doesn't even roll enough to say one word.
Not looking at them, I opened the door, entered, and locked it. Then, before my brain could actually start thinking about what others might feel, I ran upstairs. Unpacked the only box, with a bold red, danger on it, and took out eight paper sheets out of the large stack.
The paper wasn't a remanence of good deals, but a symbol of lasting deals. A gift given to me by that damned fairy. All the actual deals of my life, where I wasn't one sidedly exploited, were on these papers.
Taking the unused expensive fountain pen, with "SIGN ONLY WINNING DEALS" on it, that Damon gifted to me on my twenties birthday, I started writing.
Looking at the contracts I had written, I felt like Damon will be proud of me. Of course, if he doesn't see the ones I have already signed...
"Looking good!" I said with feeling the weights on my shoulders becoming less heavy.
Taking them down, I opened the door to see the mostly angry expressions or turned back heads. I cleared my throat to gain everyone's attention.
"Ahem... I won't take-"
Gold interrupted me, screaming at me angrily.
"Who do you think you are to leave us so disrespectfully?"
Seeing this action of her, I just cast the contract Pappers towards the group of people. After that, I saw Lucas being worryingly grabbed by Flair. Looking about to faint.
"Lucas, come in!"
As Lucas dragged himself towards the door, the red-haired Flair also came. As they were about to enter the door, I stopped Flair, whom looked up at me with question marks all over her face.
"You can read, right? " I asked her with a hesitant tone.
Still confused, she nodded in confirmation and wanted to head in again. I stopped her again.
"Whoever wants to com inside should first sign one of those papers! Those who can't read should seek help from those who can!" I said before pushing her slightly towards the papers.
"You can come in as soon as you have done it! So, speed up before the food gets cold!" I said in a neutral tone. No longer caring about the impact. After all, nothing is more reassuring than a contract.
Everyone took one. Some with indifferency, some with curiosity, and some with hesitant. However, Gold was angry, and as soon as she stared at it, she tore the paper into pieces and dusted those pieces before they even landed on the ground.
"What kind of bullshit is this? Do you think I will actually sign this? No wonder you are that scammer's great grandchild! I rather go back home to that scammer than sign this!! You ##### ... ###..." she exploded, trailing with all the curses I know of, plus more. As if it could never end.
In the meantime, she was continuously cursing... I went to the car and took the keys. Better safe than sorry.
"Huh! White eyed demon in panther clothing, just like your son stealing grandmother!!!! I am leaving this instant..!"
As expected, after saying that, she swiftly turned to the Cusseta. Seeing it not open, she bombed it with all kinds of elements there were. Then, she cast me a furious glare and walked towards the Iron village.
After a few steps, she turned back.
"Anyone who wants to come to my house and get away from this scammer witch can follow me!" She said in an indifferent but offending tone.
The children looked at each other and the first one to run towards her was actually Crimson, who also went to the length of sticking out her tongue towards me.
Obviously, the second one who went to her was crimson's twin brother, Flake. He looked at me and, for some unknown reason, politely waved before running to stick to Gold once more.
The third one was Apple. He tossed the paper while looking at me arrogantly. Then he indifferently and elegantly walked towards Gold, which made Gold give me a look of victory.
"Could you move aside?"
'Never had I seen this coming...' Unexpectedly, it was Emerald looking at me with annoyance as she held the glowing signed contract in her hand. Shocked, I moved aside.
Behind her was Silver and behind him was surprisingly also Cinnamon. Both with the contracts signed in their hands waving them to show me. I nodded, letting them also in.
As they went in, I saw Flair with eyes full to the brim and pouted lips. Whom, murmuring "Damned idiotic Apple!" ran towards the Gold's direction. She acted as if she was being forcefully separated from her loved one...
'Such a drama queen...!'